Aphelios vs Karthus

Aphelios

46.5%

over 217 games

Karthus

Analyze a draft with Aphelios

Skill matchup

High burstHeavy pokeCountered by stasisHeavy AP damage

You are stronger late game. Farm safe and avoid early trades.

Build vs Karthus

Build adapted to this matchup

Starting items

—

x2—

Core build

1—

2—

3—

Standard

4—

5—

Summoner spells

69%

17%

Anti CC

4vs CC

Other options

—

51.6% WR31 games

Precision

Press the Attack

Triumph

Legend: Bloodline

Cut Down

Inspiration

Triple Tonic

Cash Back

Power Spikes

Strength by game phase

Karthus's abilities

Passive, spells and ultimate

Death Defied (P)

Upon dying, Karthus enters a spirit form that allows him to continue casting spells.

Cooldowns

Cooldowns by spell rank

Level	Q	W	E	R
3	0s	15s	0.5s	–
6	0s	15s	0.5s	3m20
9	0s	15s	0.5s	3m20
11	0s	15s	0.5s	3m
16	0s	15s	0.5s	2m40
18	0s	15s	0.5s	2m40

Playing as Aphelios

Tips to maximize your impact

Slow, then root with Gravitum
With Gravitum as your main weapon, hit your target to slow them, then cast Weapon Abilities (Q): the cannon roots every enemy it has slowed.
Pick your weapon before your R
Switch to the right weapon with Phase (W) before Moonlight Vigil (R): you then attack each champion hit with your main weapon, and its effect applies.
Plan your next weapon
Before an objective, check Weapon Queue System (E): it shows the weapon Alune will give you next, and an empty weapon goes to the back of the queue.

Playing against Karthus

How to counter and exploit weaknesses

Stay near your minions
Stay near your minions or your allies: Lay Waste (Q) deals much more damage when the blast hits only one enemy.
Jump on him if you can
If you can engage, jump on him: Karthus has no dash or leap to escape.
Don't stay low once he hits 6
Once he hits level 6, back instead of staying at low health: Requiem (R) hits every enemy champion wherever they are, 3 seconds after he starts channeling.
Save your protection for Requiem
If you have a shield, a heal or invulnerability, save it for Requiem (R): it hits every enemy champion 3 seconds after he starts channeling.
Move away after he dies
Once Karthus is dead, move away: Death Defied (passive) keeps him in spirit form for a while, and he can still cast his spells.

Other Aphelios matchups

Patch 16.21.1